Newcomer Doherty Bags His Second Win

 

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, leads Sean McCallion, Sheane, and Kieran Hannan, Leastone, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport Formula Rookie Championship race. ICCR, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Dunloy youngster Ronan Doherty, claimed his second LOH Motorsport Formula Vee Championship on Saturday at Mondello Park in county Kildare. The county Antrim man in only his first year of racing has been a welcome surprise to the series this year. Already beating and battling with seasoned racers, the twenty-year-old has shown great pace and speed this year so far.

While a top sim racer the transition to the real thing has been effortless. In the opening round in Kirkistown he was already battling for the win in the next class up from his own but only for a mistake costing him the chance of a double victory. Qualifying on pole this time for the combined B/C race he looked to put amends to that and made a great start leading the fields into turn one. Leading fellow northern driver Sean McCallion who is in contention for the VW Spares championship, Doherty got his head down straight away setting the pace for the rest to catch. McCallion tried hard to hang on to Doherty but was also having to defend his position from Ger Byrne and Robert Fleming. Mondello Park is a tight circuit with only a couple of overtaking places, so while it can be relatively easy to defend on it also cost you time to those ahead if doing so.

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport Formula Rookie Championship race. ICCR, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

That said Doherty was lapping a second quicker by the third lap. Then further down the field a nasty collision between Brendan Ellis and Colm O’Loughlen brought out the safety car. Thankfully both drivers were ok, but it would take a couple of laps to clear their cars. Doherty had to control the pace before the restart and try and build back up his hard worked lead. He duly did, immediately opening a gap to McCallion who himself broke clear of those behind. Doherty commanded the race and reeled of the final laps to take his first victory in a VW Spares B race and also victory in the LOH Motorsport rookie championship. Speaking afterwards a happy but slightly relieved winner gave his view of the race.

15-05-2023: Niall O'Mara, left, Leastone, battles with Stephen Roche, Sheane, on his way to second place in the LOH Motorsport Rookie Formula Veee Championship race. ICCR, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Jack Cregg.

“I got a good start, but the clutch started slipping and I tried to let the team know as I went by them on the opening laps but thankfully during the safety car it seemed to fix itself and I got away again when it went in. I am delighted to get another win towards the championship.”

Ronan Doherty, Sheane, leads Sean McCallion, Sheane, and Kieran Hannan, Leastone, on his way to winning the LOH Motorsport Formula Rookie Championship race. ICCR, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Jack Cregg.

Ronan Doherty, with his trophy after winning the LOH Motorsport Formula Rookie Championship race. ICCR, Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.